Janet Lee Hoffman, Criminal Defense Attorney in Portland, Oregon

Janet Hoffman is a highly recognized criminal defense attorney known for zealously defending her clients with innovative and successful strategies that set the highest standard of practice in state and federal courts.

Based in Portland, Oregon, Ms. Hoffman is committed to protecting her clients by understanding their perspectives and thoroughly evaluating the facts and law. She is known for her ability to effectively communicate the defense at the earliest possible stage – often convincing the prosecution not to charge the case. For cases that are charged and tried, she has a strong record of persuading juries to find her clients not guilty. She is her clients’ ally and advocate throughout the process, providing constant guidance and support.

“I understand my clients are depending on me to speak for them in the most difficult situations they’ll ever face,” she says. “I take my responsibility very seriously, and the whole firm shares that commitment.”

Ms. Hoffman has defended major criminal cases in federal court and jurisdictions throughout Oregon and other states. She has represented businesses, government agencies, elected officials, corporate officers, board members, doctors, lawyers, police officers, and other individuals facing significant criminal allegations or investigations. Ms. Hoffman has established legal precedent impacting both state and federal courts, involving a wide range of serious criminal issues, such as white-collar and corporate crimes, environmental crimes, professional misconduct, fraud, and corruption. She is a leader in the profession through her body of work, articles, and speaking engagements.

This work as earned her a reputation as a leader in the legal community for outstanding criminal defense. Her honors include:

• Best Lawyers in America for Criminal Defense, Best Lawyers (2025)
• Top 25, Women, Oregon, Super Lawyers (2007-2017, 2020-2025)
• Top 50, Oregon, Super Lawyers (2007, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2020-2025)
• Top Litigator, White Collar Crime, Oregon, Chambers and Partners (2025)
• AV Preeminent, Best Lawyers in America, Martindale-Hubbell
• Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers
• “Lawyer of the Year” in the Criminal Defense: White-Collar category – Portland area, Best Lawyers (2013)

She began her career as a public defender, entered private practice in 1981, and went on to found Hoffman Law in 1998, which is rated as one of the best law firms in America by Best Lawyers.

Ms. Hoffman is a member of the Gus J. Solomon Inn of Court and a former editor of the Oregon State Bar Litigation Journal. She wrote the criminal liability chapter in the Oregon Bar Book on Environmental Law and has served as a member of the Board of Governors of the Oregon State Bar, the International Society of Barristers, on the Board of the Multnomah Bar Association, and on the Uniform Trial Court Rules Committee and the ACLU Lawyers’ Committee (Northern District).

Outside of her legal practice, Ms. Hoffman serves on the Board of Directors of Literary Arts, a community-based nonprofit with a mission to engage readers, support writers, and inspire the next generation with great literature.